Seau says goodbye with aplomb, pride

Edwards grew up idolizing Seau as a Chargers follower, competed
against him when playing for the Kansas City Chiefs and called him
a teammate in 2002.

"I was a junior in high school watching Junior play; I was a
huge Chargers fan, and, playing linebacker, I always looked up to
him," Edwards said.

"And getting into the league, I was always watching him and was
happy to have that one year with him. The one thing I love about
Junior was that he had a motor that wouldn't quit, from snap to
whistle, he would give you everything he had."

Seau was back on his pulpit before the ceremony announcing his
retirement. At the end of Monday's light workout, players and
coaches gathered around a revved Seau.

Sounding like a late-night TV evangelist, Seau pleaded with
players to cherish the game, respect their teammates and don't let
minor injuries derail their goals.

"I'm glad no one asked me to talk after that," coach Marty
Schottenheimer said. "I wouldn't know what to say."

Seau said plenty in stepping away from the game that made him
rich and famous. He stressed he wasn't disappointed and was anxious
about his next chapter.

"I'll be involved with something that affects people and I look
forward to that challenge, whatever that maybe," Seau said.
"Obviously, I'm going to have to do some soul searching in terms of
work and being part of a team I will be proud of."

The joy of working with Seau was evident from talking with past
friends and competitive foes. From ex-Chargers coach Bobby Ross to
Nick Saban, the Dolphins coach who had Seau last year, the praise
was almost endless.

"He was a coach's dream; I mean he really was," said Ross, now
Army's head coach. "I've never had, at every level of play - high
school, college and pro - never had a player practice harder and
more consistently. I never had a player that was a better team
guy."

Saban had Seau for his final season. That was long enough to
come away impressed.

"You really hold people like Junior Seau in high esteem, not
only for the character that he has as a person, but the competitive
character that he played this game with for a long, long time,"
Saban said. "It's hard to think that the guy is not a shoo-in for
the Hall of Fame someday."

Seau was selected to 12 consecutive Pro Bowls, the NFL's
All-Decade team of the 1990s and a six-time team MVP. He had 1,585
tackles, 52 sacks and 15 interceptions in a 16-year career, the
first 13 in which were spent in San Diego.

According to ex-Charger John Carney, there was no better
teammate.

"His career has got to go down as one of the best for a
linebacker in NFL history," said Carney, the Saints kicker. "But
more importantly as a teammate he was really the lifeblood of the
team. He motivated the team, not only on Sundays, but throughout
the week. He brought the whole defense up to a higher level of play
his performance, his teaching and his leadership."

That leadership role among the Chargers was ceded to running
back LaDainian Tomlinson.

"It means a lot he has passed the torch, and I take full
responsibility to carry it on," Tomlinson said. "I want to be that
next champion and he has obviously showed me the way. I studied him
since I first got here; there is nothing else he can do. It's up to
me now."

Seau was at his best surrounded by sweaty players, many of who
grew up watching him. Every eye was trained on Seau, as they hung
on each word hoping to absorb something dispensed from a future
Hall of Famer.

"I think the fire and passion that he showed right there is the
fire and passion he showed every single day out on the football
field," Tomlinson said. "I think the guys needed to see that from
somebody that is legendary.

"You hear about the great stories about Junior Seau, and I was
fortunate I was able to be around and see some of those stories
take place. They needed to see that and I think they understand now
what made him a great player and what it takes."

Seau would later take a bow before saying goodbye.

"It's kind of a sad day too because he was such a great player,"
Ross said. "It's amazing how fast a person's career goes by and
it's hard for me to believe."

"He was better than we even expected. To see him play and until
you around there with him you don't realize what he means to a
team. I never forget I got mad at him for coming up behind Ryan
Leaf and hitting him in one of the first practices -- that was just
how Junior practiced. I said, 'Hey Junior, don't do that to that
guy.' Now I wish he would have hit him 50 times harder and more
often."

-- Bobby Beathard, former Chargers general manager

"It's kind of the end of an era. In some ways you hate to see it
happen. But Junior was a tremendous player. I remember when he came
out as a very high draft choice. Very energetic guy. And a guy who
set a tempo for his team for a long time. He went to Miami, did the
same thing for them. You like to see guys like that go out on
top."

-- Tony Dungy, Colts coach

"Do we still get the discount at Seau's?"

-- David Binn, Chargers long snapper

"A lot of times a lot of fans aren't able to see what happens on
the inside, how they work to become the player they become. I was
privy to see him prepare, see how this guy works out at 5:30 every
morning in the weight room. After practice he would be doing
something else - he worked at it, watching film. For me, it was
great to see someone that caliber begin a pro and putting the work
in."

-- Donnie Edwards, Chargers linebacker

"The people at the Hall of Fame are going to have a dilemma with
Junior. Each player gets a bust made for induction and there is
going to be no place to put Junior's heart on that bust.

-- Dick Enberg, master of ceremony ay Seau's retirement
ceremony

"I had the opportunity to coach him in Hawaii, in the '98 Pro
Bowl, when Bill (Parcells) didn't make the trip out there because
he got that note from the doctor about his heart or something. That
was fun to coach all of those players, all of the AFC players, but
I did get to know him out there. He's always been a very energetic,
high-energy type of player that has made a lot of big plays through
his career. Of course we saw a little bit more of him the last
couple of years while he was with the Dolphins. I know he missed
some time but when he was there, having him in the division of last
couple of years, I just got to know him a little bit better, seeing
him before the game and stuff like that. He's had a good career, 16
years he's been playing, pretty good."

-- Bill Belichick, New England Patriots coach

"You really hold people like Junior Seau in high esteem, not
only for the character that he has as a person, but the competitive
character that he played this game with for a long, long time. It's
hard to think that the guy is not a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame
someday. He's had a great career. He certainly did great things for
us. He was a great leader here, a fun guy to be around and someone
that everybody liked on the team. It's unusual to have guys that
are that caliber of player for that long that fit all those other
criteria that make a great teammate and make a great player on your
team, not only in what he does on the football field, but what he
does everyday with supporting all the other players. … That's a
great one right there."

-- Nick Saban, Miami Dolphins head coach

"He's a legend. As a player, he's known for running around out
there and having a good time. I liked playing with him. As for a
funny story, he'll change a play on you quick. Like in the
preseason last year, he said, 'Crowder, get the tight end.' 'I
don't have the tight end.' 'Get the tight end!' and he would take
off on a blitz. He was so smart with it that he could make plays
like that. I think he should be inducted in the Hall of Fame
whenever he gets the chance because he's one of the best
linebackers of all time."

-- Channing Crowder, Dolphins linebacker, who started opposite
Seau as a rookie last season

"When I broadcast the games he played against the Redskins I
said 'Holy Cow, this guy is a football player.' I have the highest
respect for him. When I saw him play I was very, very impressed. He
was one of the greats and had a long great career. He is a credit
to the game. I just loved the way he played. He led the football
team; he was a team leader although he played on one side of the
ball. I have lot of respect for him. He will be a Hall of Famer, no
doubt about it."

"Junior was the most competitive guy I've ever been around. He
was the greatest linebacker of all time because no one's really
been that consistent for that long. And the way he threw his body
around on the field, I'm surprised he lasted that long. He was such
a great competitor and gave 100 percent on every play. He loved the
game so much that even practice was fun for him. And he was a great
leader. He was always positive and optimistic and brought a lot of
energy and enthusiasm to the locker room. He'd get here early in
the morning before the rest of us for his workout and film study.
He was professional in everything he did. That's why he was so
great on the field -- because of all the work he did off it. I've
been a fan of his since I was little and he signed a poster for me
in college. But I never thought I'd get a chance to play with him.
I was thrilled when he joined the Dolphins. I felt honored and
privileged to line up alongside the greatest linebacker of
all-time."

-- Zach Thomas, Dolphins linebacker

"Junior represents everything that is great about the game of
football. I was a big fan of his when he was with the Chargers and
I'm an even bigger fan now that I've played alongside of him. His
hard work, positive attitude and overall approach to the game were
an inspiration to us all and I have the utmost respect and
admiration for him. Away from the field, Junior was even more
impressive. His work in the community continues to change the lives
of young people and I believe ultimately, more than anything, that
will be his legacy. Junior Seau defines the word leader and his
pregame speeches were the thing of legend. I look forward to
hearing the one he gives when he's inducted into the Hall of
Fame."

-- Jason Taylor, Dolphins defensive end

"It was an honor and a privilege just to get a chance to play
with him, a player of his magnitude. After 16 years he was still a
stud. He'd come out here and work his butt off every day in
practice. I'm at 12 (NFL seasons) right now and I'm still going
strong and feel great, but he brought a whole new meaning to the
words longevity, toughness and standard for his own play. He's
retiring, but he's still great. Playing 16 years is commendable in
itself, but I think for him to play at that level for 16 years, I
think that's the difference you're going to see between him and a
lot of other players. A lot of guys can play a long time, but to go
out there and give a Pro Bowl performance every year you play
stands alone. He's obviously a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame, and he
should be. He's deserving of everything he gets right now."

-- Kevin Carter, Dolphins defensive end

"I faced a lot of outstanding defensive players over the course
of my career and Junior Seau was certainly among the best. Whenever
we played the San Diego Chargers, we made sure we knew where No. 55
was each time we broke the huddle. He represented his team, his
community and the NFL with class throughout his career and while I
had already retired by the time he became a Miami Dolphin, I look
forward to him joining our team in Canton."